What Makes a Passion Poster? Difference in Perfection and Imperfection in Design

A passion poster is more than a visually appealing composition—it is a reflection of energy, motion, and personal expression. While many designers strive for perfection through precise alignment, balanced layouts, and polished details, passion often emerges through imperfections.

Perfection in design creates clarity, professionalism, and structure. It helps communicate ideas efficiently and gives confidence in the message. However, overly perfect designs can sometimes feel distinct or predictable.

Imperfection, on the other hand, introduces character and authenticity. Hand-drawn elements, unexpected textures, asymmetrical layouts, or subtle flaws can make a design feel human and memorable. These imperfections often reveal the designer's personality and passion, creating a stronger emotional connection with the audience.

The most compelling passion posters find a balance between the two. They use the principles of good design as a foundation while embracing imperfections that add uniqueness and soul. In the end, a passion poster is not about flawless execution, it's about expressing an idea in a way that feels genuine, inspiring, and alive.

This is where I inspired myself to create a poster that aims to explore self-expression through the unconventional language of abstraction.

Figure 1: Design File of Untitled Poster

Drawn from Peter Bankov and his approach to abstract poster design, I incorporated elements of my own cultural background and personal experiences to create a piece that echoes his style while remaining uniquely my own.

I used an archived photograph of myself as the foundation of the piece and began breaking it apart through layered color themes and hand-integrated typography to create a more personal feel.

Figure 2: On-Display Next to the CMEI (Center for Multicultural Engagement Inclusion Building)

The color palette draws inspiration from the Eritrean flag—red, green, blue, and yellow—serving as a visual connection to my cultural identity. I also incorporated hand-typed phrases such as “I Am One,” “American and Eritrean,” and “Equality” to reinforce personal and cultural references throughout the design.

Overall, this work is something that I'm most proud of since it's something that I am passionate about and how I am able to embrace my unique creativity of using abstraction through design.

Figure 3: Selfie With Work